The '''Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed''' (also called the '''Nicene Creed''', the '''Symbol of Faith''', the '''Pistevo''', or simply the '''Creed''') is that creed formulated at the [[First Ecumenical Council|First]] and [[Second Ecumenical Council|Second]] [[Ecumenical Councils]]. It was defined by the [[Church Fathers|Holy Fathers]] of those first two councils (held in Nicea and Constantinople, respectively) to combat various [[heresy|heresies]] notably [[Arianism]], [[Appolinarianism]], [[Macedonianism]] (also called Pneumatomachianism), and [[Chiliasm]].

The '''Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed''' (also called the '''Nicene Creed''', the '''Symbol of Faith''', the '''Pistevo''', or simply the '''Creed''') is that creed formulated at the [[First Ecumenical Council|First]] and [[Second Ecumenical Council|Second]] [[Ecumenical Councils]]. It was defined by the [[Church Fathers|Holy Fathers]] of those first two councils (held in [[Nicea]] and Constantinople, respectively) to combat various [[heresy|heresies]]: notably [[Arianism]], [[Apollinarianism]], [[Macedonianism]] (also called Pneumatomachianism), and [[Chiliasm]].

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Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine, while others regard its more likely origin as being a creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "[[Syrian Creed]]."

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Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine (the Apostles' Creed), while others regard its more likely origin as being a creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "[[Syrian Creed]]."

The Creed as it now stands was formed in two stages, and the one in use today in the [[Orthodox Church]] reflects the revisions and additions made at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]]. Some centuries later, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] attempted a unilateral revision of the Creed by the addition of the [[Filioque]], thus being one of the causes of the [[Great Schism]] between Rome and the rest of the Church.

The Creed as it now stands was formed in two stages, and the one in use today in the [[Orthodox Church]] reflects the revisions and additions made at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]]. Some centuries later, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] attempted a unilateral revision of the Creed by the addition of the [[Filioque]], thus being one of the causes of the [[Great Schism]] between Rome and the rest of the Church.

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The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic church]] has a tradition that the Nicene Creed was authored by St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], whose theology was instrumental at the Nicene council, despite his being only a deacon at the time.

== The Creed of Nicea (325 A.D.) ==

== The Creed of Nicea (325 A.D.) ==

''We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible;''

''We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible;''

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''And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten froom the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down and became incarnate, becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead;''

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''And in one [[Lord]] Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down and became incarnate, becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead;''

''And in the Holy Spirit.''

''And in the Holy Spirit.''

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'''In English:'''

'''In English:'''

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''We [[faith|believe]] in one God, the [[God the Father|Father]] Almighty, [[creation|Maker]] of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;''

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''We believe in one [[God]], the [[God the Father|Father]] Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;''

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''And in one Lord [[Jesus Christ]], the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:''

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''And in one Lord [[Jesus Christ]], the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:''

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''Who for us [[man|men]] and for our [[salvation]] came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]], and was made man;''

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''Who for us men and for our [[salvation]] came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the [[Holy Spirit]] and the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]], and was [[Incarnation|made man]];''

''And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;''

''And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;''

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''And the third day He [[resurrection|rose]] again, according to the [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]];''

''And the third day He [[resurrection|rose]] again, according to the [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]];''

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''And [[ascension|ascended]] into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;''

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''And [[ascension|ascended]] into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;''

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''And He shall [[Second coming|come again]] with glory to [[judgement|judge]] the quick and the [[death|dead]], Whose kingdom shall have no end.''

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''And He shall come again with glory to [[Sunday of the Last Judgment|judge]] the living and the [[death|dead]], Whose kingdom shall have no end.''

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''And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who [[filioque|proceedeth]] from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the [[Prophet]]s;''

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''And we believe in the [[Holy Spirit]], the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is [[Worship|worshipped]] and glorified, Who spoke by the [[Prophet]]s;''

Note: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as it is recited in Orthodox worship today uses the first person ("I believe..."/"Πιστε

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Note: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as it is recited in Orthodox worship today uses the first person ("I believe..."/"{{lang|el|Πιστεύω}}") rather than the first person plural as it was enacted at the councils.

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==External link==

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*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/creed.asp The Official Translation of the Confession of Faith adopted by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America] ([[GOARCH]])

Some scholars believe that the Creed promulgated by the First Ecumenical Council was based on an earlier baptismal creed used in Palestine (the Apostles' Creed), while others regard its more likely origin as being a creed issued early in 325 A.D. in Antioch, a so-called "Syrian Creed."

The Coptic church has a tradition that the Nicene Creed was authored by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, whose theology was instrumental at the Nicene council, despite his being only a deacon at the time.

The Creed of Nicea (325 A.D.)

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down and became incarnate, becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the living and the dead;

And in the Holy Spirit.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.)

In English:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:

Note: The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed as it is recited in Orthodox worship today uses the first person ("I believe..."/"Πιστεύω") rather than the first person plural as it was enacted at the councils.